Facile synthesis of a Ni_(3)S_(2)@C composite using cation exchange resin as an efficient catalyst to improve the kinetic properties of MgH_(2)

Carbon materials have excellent catalytic effects on the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2. Here, carbon-supported Ni3S2(denoted as Ni3S2@C) was synthesized by a facile chemical route using ion exchange resin and nickel acetate tetrahydrate as raw materials and then introduced to improve the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2. The results indicated the addition of 10 wt.% Ni3S2@C prepared by macroporous ion exchange resin can effectively improve the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetic properties of MgH2. At 100 ℃,the dehydrogenated MgH2-Ni3S2@C-4 composite could absorb 5.68 wt.% H2. Additionally, the rehydrogenated MgH2-Ni3S2@C-4 sample could release 6.35 wt.% H2at 275 ℃. The dehydrogenation/hydrogenation enthalpy changes of MgH2-Ni3S2@C-4 were calculated to be 78.5 k J mol-1/-74.7 k J mol-1, i.e., 11.0 k J mol-1/7.3 k J mol-1lower than those of MgH2. The improvement in the kinetic properties of MgH2was ascribed to the multi-phase catalytic action of C, Mg2Ni, and Mg S, which were formed by the reaction between Ni3S2contained in the Ni3S2@C catalyst and Mg during the first hydrogen absorption–desorption process.